Belfast, Maine Fire is a Reminder to Keep Combustibles Away from Heat

A fire at a Belfast art studio serves as a good reminder to keep combustibles away from heated household items.

Belfast, Maine Firefighters Extinguish a Fire at the Waterfall Arts Studio

The Belfast Fire Department was called to the Waterfall Arts building, 256 High Street, at approximately 3:15 pm on Wednesday.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire that was confined to a small metal tray located beneath a metal worktable inside the glass blowing studio.

Damage from the fire was limited to the contents of the tray and didn't spread to the rest of the building.

Officials say a glass artist left the building at approximately 1:30 pm, and there was no evidence of anyone entering the studio after that.

Both entrances were locked when firefighters arrived.

Belfast, Maine Fire at Waterfall Arts Ignited Accidentally

Maine State Fire Marshal's Office

An investigation into the cause of the fire determined a piece of hot glass came into contact with a microfiber cloth located in the metal tray.

The heat from the glass caused the cloth to ignite or smolder, resulting in a small fire that also involved a plastic funnel and a piece of cardboard stored nearby.

Maine Fire Marshal Reminds Residents to Keep Hot Items Away from Combustibles

The State Fire Marshal's Office reminds anyone working with hot materials to only place them on noncombustible surfaces and allow them to cool completely before being thrown away.

This includes hot household items, like curling irons and soldering guns.

When I think of combustibles, I always think of any type of chemical or cleaning product that advises keeping them away from open flames.

But that assumption is wrong.

Combustibles are defined as anything that can ignite and catch fire.